Apparatus for introducing high voltages into containers



Dec. 9, 1947. D. w. TURNE R 2,432,263

APPARATUS FOR IN'iRODUCING HIGH VOLTAGES INTO CONTAINERS Filed larch 23, 1945 T x III IM/E/woe passe W 700 3r Ham/.1, Klee/4, fb: rm &: Haze/s Foe 7:4: Hem

Arron/5Y5 Patented Dec. 9; 1947 UNITED was PATH-N APPARATUS FOR m'raonoomc man vouraoas m'ro oouramnasw Delber W. Turner, Houston, Tex., assignonto I Petrolite Corporation, Ltd., Wilmington, Deli,

a corporation of Delaware I Application March 23, 1945, Serial 1%;584333 ls'cl ims. (o1. 2oo-'- 52') My invention relates to structuresforintroducing high voltages into a container and, more particular1y,-toan arrangement facilitating replacement of a bushing used for this purpose.

It is often necessary to introduce high voltage currents into a container filledwith a fluid which may be at superatmospheric or subatmospheric pressure. An inlet bushing is conventionally employed, having a conductor through which the high' voltage currents enter the containerto energize suitable equipment disposed therein. Such an inlet bushing sometimes fails in operation, either because of electrical breakdown or mechanical defects. To efiect replacement, it has heretofore been necessary to equalize any presone or more electrodes to which a high potential is applied by use of an inlet bushing. Heretofore, removal of the bushing for inspection or replacement has necessitated relief of any superatmospheric pressure on the oil, drainage of the oil from the container, and, often, steaming out the con-'- ta'iner before the bushing can be removed with safety; {This procedure is particularly objectionable in large-sized installations especially whenv the unit is installed in closeproxlmity to, and operating in conjunction with, a refinery where the charging stream for the refinery passes through the unit. It is essential to shorten as much as possible the timeperiod' required-for change in bushings and,'by thepresent inven-" tion, a bushing change can be made in 'a'few minutes instead of a few hours.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel arrangement whereby abushing con- 7 ducting electrical potentials into a container can be removed without opening the. container, ex-- posing its contents to the atmosphere, relieving any pressure differential across the container, or draining the container. It is a further object of the invention to provide a conducting member within the container and movable into and out of electrical contact with andGordon B. Hanson, Serial No. 326,274, filed permits closing the valve'or cl .into and-"out 0f electrical'c'ontact'with t theconductor of the bushing In the'preierred embodiment of the invention, such'movementis effected from a position outside the container.

. It is a further object of the invention to provide a movablewinsulator within a contair'i en this insulator carrying a conducting member which is movable into and out of electrical contact with the conductor of an inlet bushing.'

Still a further object of theinventionliesin'a structure whereifia valve or other 'closure'i's'prbi vided near the zone of electrical contactjbetween such a conducting' member' an'da conductor of, a bushing, whereby separation of theselements fa et r to'wremoval 'of the bushing-Q if I t; Additional objects of theinvention lie inthe provision of a novel structure for; elfiee'tl'e f (and guidingthe movement of afconductin'g m niber c f.-

ductor'ofan inlet bushing. fi

Further objects" and advantages of the in'v'eng tion-will'be evident to those skilled in the art. om the following description'of an exemplary bodimenti- W I I v "Referringtothedrawingi" I j; v'Figt-l is a jvertical' sectionalview" showing diagrammatically one manner of employing the invention inthe upper end of a'container; Fig. 2'is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line-Z-Tof'Fig. 1;v v ii T Fig. 3 is an enlarged verticalsectional view' of the-insulator support or control unit shown in i b i I Fig. 4 is an'enlarged view, partially in section,

'of the resilient contactor shown in Fig. 2;'and

Fig. "5' is a fragmentary sectional'view, taken as indicatedbythe line 5'-5 of Fig. 3.1

=-Refer'r'ing' particularly to Fig. 1, the exemplified electric treater provides 'a sph'erical container 10, only-the'upper; portion or the wallthereoi being shown, "this upper-wall being; indicated by'the. numeral ll. Mounted within and, extending across'the upper endof'the container vI'll is a framework l2 comprising; spaced members. l3

traversed bycro'ss members 14, the ends "of these T members being suitably attached to the container and" being at the ground potential of the contain er. Suspended fromsultableinsulators is an electrode structure; the details of which need not bespecifically enumerated as they are shown in the copending application of Logan C. Waterman 1 March 27,1940. "Sufllce it to saythat', thiselectrode structure may include an upper electrode 6 N comprising a suitable frame-2i from which Three 3 depends a plurality of concentric rings '22, and a similarlower electrode "having asultable frame '16 on which is mounted a plurality'ot con- .c'entric rings 21. These electrodes are insulated from each other by the supporting insulators to 1 is shown ill Fig. 1, being indicated by the numeral :1, it being understood that additional suspension insulators are employed'to give athree-point support for the upper electrode.- The upper end of each of the suspension insulatorsis connected to vthe framework i2. Similarly, the lower electrode 2! is supported at three points by three additional suspension insulators, one being indicated by the numeral 3!, rods '36 being connected to the frame 16 to serve as hangers for the lower electrode.

Fig. 1 shows two bushingechanging' systems of the invention through which the electrodes 20 and II are respectively energized to develop a.

high voltage held in the treating space H. The high voltage source is diagrammatically shown as comprising transformers 4G and II with secondary' windings connected additively', the common terminal being grounded, as indicated, and the high voltage terminals supplying the high potentlals through bushings l2 and 43 to the electrodes, maintaining each electrode at-- above-8round po-' tential. Only one bushing-changing arrange ment of the invention will in detail as the other isa duplicate. V I

- As-best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. a tubular structure 50 extends upward from the wall i I and provides apassag'e i'l opening on the interior of the container. As shown, the tubular structure comprises a low'er'flangedtubular member I: welded at 53 to the wall leans an upperdoubledianged tubular member'fl' between which is" bolted the body of a gate valve 51, scrving'as one embodiment a closure means for the passage I I. This gate valve is shown dlagi'iu'nmatically as including a 'closure member br gate id slidable ina tapered passage 59 under the action of a hand wheel 80 to close off completely any communication' between the upper'and lower portions or the passage 'l,'as will be later described. If desired, the tubular member '55 may provide-an opening G l; shown=as closed by aplug l2,--for admitting liquid or gas to the upper portion of the passage" 51.

Thebushing'lz may'. be of any desired construction and carries'a' conductor 64. Suitable means is provided for removablyconnecting the Preferably the downward movement or the contact member H is limited by auxiliary connecting means extending between the members I and "II, this means preferably comprising three flexible members I5, each secured at its ends to brackets 1 attached respectively to the members 6| and H. such auxiliary connecting means serve the dual function of insuring good electrical conductivity between the members I and H and also to maximize the spacing thereoi. under the action of the spring 12 by becoming taut when the spacing is approximately as shown in Fig. 4. At the same time, it will be clear that the Contact member I I can be moved upward a distance under the action or any upward pressure applied thereto, the spring I! compressing to permit this movement and the flexible members ll flexing within the confines of the spring 12. Such upward movement of the contact member Il may take place through the action'oi the conducting member to be'later described. The lowermost position of the contact member II should be above the closure for the passage 6! provided by the gate ll of the valve I I,

Associated with the tubular structure BI is a control unit, indicated generally by the numeral 10 and best shown in detail in Fig. 3. This control unit includes a pipe ll extending through the wall II .to one side oi the tubular structure II. The pipecarries a flange II at its lower end inside the container II and is welded to a flange I} outsidethe container. Bolted to the flange II is a sealing means comprising a packing gland structure I through which extends a' vertically movable operating member '6. A packing journals and seals the operating member I! and is compressed by a packing gland 81, best shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Extending upward from the packing gland structure 84 on opposite sides of the operating member I! are posts ll carrying a yoke 89 at their upper ends. A nut 00 is journailed in this yoke and is connected to a hand wheel Si by a tapered connection tightened by a nut 92. During its rotation, thenut Oil is restrained from vertical movement relative to the yoke I" by the hand wheel SI and by a lower flange 93 engaging the yoke ll. The nut 00 rotates relative to the threaded upper end 0! the operating member 85. Turning of the hand wheel will thus raise and lower the operating member.

The uppermost position of the operating member,

bushing 41 to the tubular structure III. M AS shown,

this means includesfan-adapter flange 68 to which 'a flared portion 86 of the bushing is connected having its endsxrespectivel'y connected to the a members 8" and 'Hfl-by' ciips'n" a'lid "Z This spring forms a resilientmount'ior the contact member H:

shown in Fig. 3, is determined by lock nuts 95 which come into engagement with the flange 98.

The lowermost position of the operating member is determined by lock nuts 90, acting as a stop means'when they are lowered to engage the upper end of the nut 90.

. The operating member ll extends into the interior of the container III and is journalled near -its lower end by sliding through the opening of a plate 91 bolted to th'e'fl'ange II. Means is preferably provided to prevent turning of the operating member I! about its axis as it is raised and lowered. To accomplish this. a stationary guide l" is providedwithin the container and to one side of the axis of the operating member. This guide is formed by a rod bent into U shape and having its ends welded to the plate 01 to form two rod members having outwardly-extending portions ill and depending portions ill, the latter being spaced from each other to provide a guide passage I". Near the lower end of the operating member II is secured a collar I04 carrying a sidewardly-extending guide member I". This guide member extends into, and is with said conductor of said'bushing as said insulator is moved.

4. In a device for conducting high voltage currents into a container through the use of a bushing having a conductor extending therethrough, the combination of: a tubular structure providing a passage communicating with the interior of said container; means for removably connecting said bushing to said tubular structure with said conductor exposed to said passage; a movable closure for said passage; a'high voltage suspension insulator; means for mounting-said suspension insulator to move in said container and for moving said suspension insulator from a position outside said container; a conducting member carried by said suspension insulator and insulated thereby from said container to move with said insulator, said conducting member providing a contact portion extending into said passage to move into and out of electrical contact with said conductor of said bushing as said insulator is moved, said contact portion moving suiliciently to clear said closure; and means for moving said closure to close oil. said passage to permit removal of said bushing without opening said'conta'iner.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, in which said closure includes a gate valve having a valve member traversing said passage.

6.'A combination as definedinclaim 3, including a resilient contactor disposedbetween said conductor-and'said conducting member and through which electrical contact between these elements is completed. 7 I

-7. A combination as defined in claim 3, including a resilient contactor disposed between said conductor'and said conducting member and through which electrical contact between these elements is completedg saidresilient contactor comprising a'support member carried by one of these elements, a'contact member contactable by the "other of these elements when said conducting member is moved, and a spring disposed between said support member and said contact member to be flexed by movement of said" conducting' member. l

'8. A combination as defined in claim 3, including av resilient 'contactor' disposed between said conductor and said conducting member and through which electrical contact between these elements is completed, said resilient contactor comprising a support member carried by one of these elements, a contact member contactable by the otherof these elements when said conducting member is 'moved, a' spring disposed between said supportmember andsaid contact member to be flexed by' movement of said conducting member, and means extending between said support member and said'contact member to limit the flexure of said spring when said electrical contact is broken.

first and second suspension insulators in said container, each providing a high voltage terminal; an element in said container supported by said first suspension insulator and electrical y connected to its high voltage terminal; means for mounting said second insulator for movement relative to said first insulator and for moving said second insulator from a position outside said container; a conducting member carried by said second insulator in its movement and connected to the high voltage terminal thereof, said 9. A combination as defined in claim 3, in-

cluding means for uiding the movement of said suspension insulator to retain said contact portion of said conducting member within said passage and separated from the walls thereof during movement of said insulator.

10. In a device for conducting high voltage currents into a, container through the use of a bushing having a conductor extending therethrough, the combination of: a tubular structure providing a passage communicating with the interlor of said container; means'for removably connecting said bushing to said tubular structure with said conductor exposed to said passage;

conducting member providing a. contact portion extending into said passage to move into and out of electrical contact with said conductor of said bushing as said second insulator is moved; and

a lead for electrically connecting said conducting member and said element.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10, including a framework in said container carrying said first insulator, said second movable insulator traversing said framework, said means for movably mounting said second insulator including an operating member movably extending from said container and means for sealing said operating member and said container.

12. A combination as defined in claim 3, in which said means for mounting said suspension insulator includes an operating member movably extending through a wall of said container, means for connecting one end of said insulator to said operating member, a stationary guide within said container and positioned to one side of the axis of said operating member, and a guide member carried by and extending sidewise from said operating member to engage said stationary guide and slide therealong during movement of said operating member to prevent turning of said operating member about its axis during such movement thereof and thus guide said contact portion of said conducting member to move within said passage.

13. In combination with a. container having a wall: an operating member movably extending through said wall; means for sealing said operating member relative to said wall; means for axially moving said operating member from a position outside said container; 9. suspension insulator inside said container and providing an end connected to said operating member to move therewith; a stationary guide within said container and positioned to one side of the axis of said operating member; and a guide member carried by and extending sidewise from said operating member to engage said stationary guide and slide therealong during movement of said operating member to prevent turning of said operating member about its axis during such movement thereof.

14. In a device for conducting high voltage currents into a container through the use of a bushing having a conductor extending therethrough, the combination of: a tubular structure providing a passage communicating with the interior of said container; means for removably connecting said bushing to said tubular structure with said conductor exposed to said passage; a high voltage suspension insulator within said container and positioned to one side of the axis of said member including also a contact portion extend-w ing from said arm into said passage to be in electrical contact with said conductor of said bushing; and means for moving said suspension 9 v insulator to move said contact portion into and out of electrical contact with said conductor of said bushing.

15. A combination as defined in claim 14, in which said last-named means includes a vertically movable operating member extending from said container, said insulator being hung from said operating member, and including means for counterbalancing said arm and said contact portion to maintain the axis of said suspension in- 10 said suspension insulator and insulated thereby from said container, said conducting member providing a contact portion extending into said passage to be in electrical contact with said conv ductor of said bushing; meansfor separating said conductor of said bushing and said contact portion; and a closure for said passage and comsulator substantially vertical during its movement by said operating member.

16. In a device for conducting high voltage I prising a closure member movable across said passage to move between said conductor and said contact portion when separated.

DELBER W. TURNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATEN' IS Number Name Date 975,422 Hayes Nov. 15, 1910 1,827,430 Greenwood Oct. 13 1931 2,229,627 Allan et a1. Jan. 28, 194-1 

